自惚うぬぼれ鏡かがみ

noun

small western mirror with mercury added to the glass (Edo period)

Historical term for a type of mirror produced during the Edo period. The name literally means 'conceited mirror' or 'self-admiring mirror', possibly because the mercury backing gave a clearer reflection, encouraging vanity.

See also: 和鏡

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの自惚うぬぼれ鏡かがみは、ガラスに水すい銀ぎんを塗ぬって作つくられた。

  The self-admiring mirror of the Edo period was made by applying mercury to glass.

• 博はく物ぶつ館かんで珍めずらしい自惚うぬぼれ鏡かがみを見みた。

  I saw a rare self-admiring mirror at the museum.